The Sanders Firmhttps://thesandersfirm.com
The Sanders FirmMon, 14 Aug 2017 16:00:06 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8AAA Lobbying for Seat Belt Laws to Include Back Seat Passengershttps://thesandersfirm.com/2017/08/aaa-lobbying-for-seat-belt-laws-to-include-back-seat-passengers/
Mon, 14 Aug 2017 16:00:06 +0000http://thesandersfirm.com/?p=9220A study recently published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives light to the lack of back seat passengers using their seat belts. Although a total of 91% of people surveyed say the always buckle up in the front seats, only 72% say they use the seat... Read More

]]>A study recently published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives light to the lack of back seat passengers using their seat belts. Although a total of 91% of people surveyed say the always buckle up in the front seats, only 72% say they use the seat belt in the back seats.

Unfortunately, the consequences of not making use of the seat belt are often deadly. From 1996 to 2014, the American Automobile Association (AAA) reported that 886 people were killed riding in the back seat while not wearing a seat belt. Taxi and Uber riders almost always ride in the back seat, and with Uber being the growing phenomenon it is, back seat safety should be a concern now more than ever.

Current Laws

Seat belt laws are divided into two categories: Primary and Secondary. Primary laws allow law enforcement officers to give a ticket for not wearing the seat belt even if no traffic offense has taken place. Secondary laws, on the other hand, only allow officers to issue a ticket for not wearing a seat belt if another traffic offense is being cited as well.

Only 18 states, D.C. and two territories include back seats as primary enforcement. In the case of New York, there is no law enforcement, primary or secondary, for people older than 16 years old sitting in the back.

The AAA is lobbying for lawmakers to pass legislation in New York that would require back seat passengers of all ages to wear the seat belt. Although the governor expressed his support of the idea, nothing has been officially approved yet.

The Sanders Firm is here to help.

Whether the cause was negligence, manufacturing liability or poor road design, car accidents often leave victims with long-term financial and emotional hardships. You don’t have to face insurance companies alone. If you or a family member has suffered injuries in any type of motor vehicle collision, your first step should be contacting a NY car accident lawyer at The Sanders Firm.

Representing residents in Long Island, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan, our firm has a long track record of obtaining multi-million dollar car accident settlements and court awards on behalf of our clients. For a free and honest evaluation of your case, call toll-free: 1.800 FAIR PLAY (800.324.7752)

]]>Asbestos Found in Popular Tween Makeup Productshttps://thesandersfirm.com/2017/07/201707asbestos-present-in-popular-tween-makeup-products/
Wed, 26 Jul 2017 22:22:22 +0000http://thesandersfirm.com/?p=9195An Official Recall May Follow. Justice, a popular tween retail chain, stopped selling their makeup product “Just Shine Shimmer Powder”, after an investigation revealed four heavy metals and asbestos in the makeup powder. The investigation was done by WTVD in collaboration with the Scientific Analytical Institute... Read More

An Official Recall May Follow.

Justice, a popular tween retail chain, stopped selling their makeup product “Just Shine Shimmer Powder”, after an investigation revealed four heavy metals and asbestos in the makeup powder.

The investigation was done by WTVD in collaboration with the Scientific Analytical Institute in Greensboro, North Carolina. Sean Fitzgerald, the director of the research institution, reported that tremolite asbestos fibers were found in the makeup. These fibers present a serious threat, staying in the bottom of the lungs for decades if inhaled by young teens or tweens. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and its inhalation can cause mesothelioma and other dangerous diseases, taking up to 20 years after asbestos exposure for malignant mesothelioma to develop.

Although there has not been an official recall of Just Shine Shimmer Powder, it is no longer for sale while Justice undertakes an independent investigation. The FDA considers it unacceptable for cosmetic talc to be contaminated with asbestos, therefore an official recall may follow.

Companies have a legal responsibility to sell products that are safe and appropriately labeled, and failing to do so or alert consumers of asbestos contaminated talc could make the company liable in court.

Reach Out to The Sanders Firm

The company may have to compensate for lost wages, medical bills, and any other expenses associated with your diagnosis. Our personal injury attorneys may be able to guide you through the process of holding a distributor or manufacturer accountable for their misconduct. For a free evaluation of your case, call 1-800-FAIRPLAY now.

]]>The Chemicals in Your Mac and Cheesehttps://thesandersfirm.com/2017/07/chemicals-mac-cheese/
Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:04:50 +0000http://thesandersfirm.com/?p=9191Phthalates Found in 97% of Cheese Products Tested, 100% of Boxed Mac and Cheese A recent study of cheese products purchased in the United States detected chemicals called phthalates in 29 of 30 samples tested with the highest concentrations found in cheese powders used in... Read More

]]>Phthalates Found in 97% of Cheese Products Tested, 100% of Boxed Mac and Cheese

A recent study of cheese products purchased in the United States detected chemicals called phthalates in 29 of 30 samples tested with the highest concentrations found in cheese powders used in boxed macaroni and cheese mixes. The study, paid for by environmental advocacy groups: Environmental Health Strategy Center, Ecology Center, Healthy Babies Bright Futures and Safer States was conducted by an independent lab, the Flemish Institute for Technological Research in Belgium. Fat was taken for each sample and analyzed for 13 different phthalates.

In particular, 10 different boxed macaroni and cheese varieties were tested, including organic, with high levels of the chemicals found in all of them. Nine of the 30 cheese products were made by Kraft, the company that makes most of the two million boxes of macaroni and cheese sold daily in the U.S.

“The phthalate concentrations in powder from mac and cheese mixes were more than four times higher than in block cheese and other natural cheeses like shredded cheese, string cheese and cottage cheese,” said Mike Belliveau, executive director of one advocacy group. “Our belief is that it’s in every mac ‘n’ cheese product – you can’t shop your way out of the problem,”

While the chemicals are not added to foods deliberately, they migrate their way in through plastic packaging, food processing and manufacturing equipment. Studies have shown that because phthalates bind with fats, they can often be found not just in cheese, but baked goods, meats, oils, fast food and infant formula. Europe has banned many phthalates from coming into contact with fatty foods and baby foods, however the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) classifies many of the phthalates as indirect food additives.

What are phthalates?

Phthalates are chemicals added to plastics to increase properties such as flexibility, durability, pliability and softness. There are also used as solvents and are found in ink and adhesives. Phthalates were commonly used in children’s toys prior to Congress banning them to certain specifications in 2008. The chemicals provided the soft, flexible feel to the children’s rubber duck, for example.

Exposure and ingestion of phthalates is widespread in the United States. Through general environmental and food contamination, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has found that the vast majority of Americans have metabolites of multiple varieties of phthalates in their urine. Read the CDC’s Phthalates fact sheet here. ( https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/pdf/Pthalates_FactSheet.pdf )

Heather Patisaul, Professor of Biological Sciences at the Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, cites strong evidence of phthalates blocking testosterone production in males. “That means there is less testosterone available to the developing male fetus, and since testosterone is absolutely vital to build his reproductive organs, the worry is that you will get malformations and other kinds of problems that translate to health effects later [including] infertility, low sperm counts, altered male reproductive behavior and changes in the area of the brain that are important for sex differences between men and women, as well as a heightened risk of testicular cancer later on,” she said. “If you asked most scientists about the top 10 or 20 endocrine-disrupting chemicals they worry about, phthalates would be on that list. We have an enormous amount of data.”

In Seattle, Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, Associate Professor of Pediatrics , University of Washington, studies phthalates and says research is also showing links to neurodevelopmental and behavior problems through early childhood exposure including aggression, hyperactivity and possible cognitive delays.

Food safety and environmental groups are currently coordinating a petition process to ask the FDA to remove all phthalates from food, its packaging, processing and manufacturing.

Tom Nelter, chemicals policy director for the Environmental Defense Fund, said “A chemical is not allowed in food unless there is a reasonable certainty it will cause no harm. We don’t think the F.D.A. can say there is a reasonable certainty of no harm.”

About Us

The Sanders Firm was honored to be featured in the January, 2015 edition of Forbes Magazine as one of the most aggressive law firms in New York State, with over $200 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients.

With a combined staff of over fifty attorneys, paralegals, secretaries and clerks, we take pride in working together to help individuals obtain compensation for their injuries. We share some common traits: We are tenacious. We are results oriented. We are courteous. We are well-trained in the practice of personal injury and medical malpractice law. We are dedicated to securing the fullest protection of the law for those who have suffered in acts of negligence. And we have helped to change the landscape of personal injury and medical malpractice law.

]]>Neonicotinoid Treated Plants Affecting Pollinatorshttps://thesandersfirm.com/2017/06/neonicotinoid-treated-plants-affecting-pollinators/
Thu, 29 Jun 2017 16:39:35 +0000http://thesandersfirm.com/?p=9146A Decreasing Pollinators Population Poses a Threat. Seeds and plants sold at home-improvement stores and gardening centers are being pretreated with neonicotinoids. Neonic residues, which can persist in plants and soil for up to six years, are poisonous to pollinators that are essential to our... Read More

Seeds and plants sold at home-improvement stores and gardening centers are being pretreated with neonicotinoids. Neonic residues, which can persist in plants and soil for up to six years, are poisonous to pollinators that are essential to our ecosystem and economy. Some pollinators, like the monarch caterpillar, may die after only two or three bites of neonicotinoid treated plant.

Pollinators contribute more than 24 billion dollars to the United States’ economy. Honey bees alone enable the production of 90 cash crops. However, the number of managed honey bee colonies in the U.S. has decreased from 6 to 2.5 million in the last 60 years. Now more than ever, pollinators deserve full attention.

Garden Club of America Calls For Action.

The Garden Club of America is a nonprofit organization that promotes the conservation and enjoyment of American gardens. On May 5th, 2017, the organization’s executive board addressed the secretary of the Department of Agriculture, asking for restrictions on neonicotinoid use. The letter stressed the importance of pollinators and their role in society.

The main problem is that consumers are unaware of the neonic residues in the plants they are purchasing. Consequently, even those who are concerned and trying to help protect pollinators are unknowingly harming them. With this in mind, the Garden Club of America called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take action. Ideally, regulations will force distributors to stop using neonicotinoids, putting an end to the issue. Otherwise, they should have to at least mark the treated plants, allowing the buyer to make an informed decision.

]]>Fireworks Injuries and How To Prevent Themhttps://thesandersfirm.com/2017/06/201706fireworks-injuries-and-how-to-prevent-them/
Wed, 28 Jun 2017 21:31:52 +0000http://thesandersfirm.com/?p=9154June Is National Fireworks Safety Month Every year, Americans celebrate life and liberty with a day full of events, food, drinks, and unfortunately, too many injuries due to fireworks. This upcoming 4th of July, leave the fireworks to professionals. Every year, fireworks cost $32 million... Read More

Every year, Americans celebrate life and liberty with a day full of events, food, drinks, and unfortunately, too many injuries due to fireworks. This upcoming 4th of July, leave the fireworks to professionals. Every year, fireworks cost $32 million in property damage, and emergency rooms treat more than 11,000 people for fireworks related injuries. The grand majority come during Independence Day or New Year celebrations, and over 25% of patients are 15 years old or younger. Fireworks can burn at up to 2000 degrees, hot enough to melt metals. Even sparklers, often viewed as harmless, burn at these temperatures and regularly burn children.

We recommend enjoying the public fireworks lit up by professionals. However, if you decide to light them up, there are safety steps you must follow responsibly.

Make sure consumer fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

Never use or make professional grade fireworks.

Never allow young children to play with or light up fireworks, including sparklers, which can cause severe burns.

When lighting the fuse, never place any part of your body directly over the fireworks. Move to a safe distance immediately after igniting.

Have a bucket of water or hose within short distance, ready to be used in case of a fire.

Do not try to relight malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and dispose them.

Never point or throw fireworks at a person, and light them one at a time.

Once fireworks are done burning, soak them with water in order to prevent a trash fire.

Talk To a Lawyer In Case of an Injury

If you have been injured because of someone illegally using fireworks, call an Attorney at The Sanders Firm. When considering legal action, the best person on your side is an experienced attorney. Keep our number and share with your friends/family so we can protect victims of these scenarios:

]]>‘Indecent’, Co-produced by Senior Partner Marc Grossman, Wins Two Tony Awardshttps://thesandersfirm.com/2017/06/indecent-co-produced-by-senior-partner-marc-grossman-wins-two-tony-awards/
Wed, 14 Jun 2017 19:56:06 +0000http://thesandersfirm.com/?p=9074Marc Grossman, Senior Partner and Attorney at the Sanders Firm, ambitiously took on the challenge of co-producing his first Broadway show ‘Indecent’. The play premiered in October 2015, and last Sunday June 11th at the 2017 Tony Awards, the show proved to be a complete... Read More

Marc Grossman, Senior Partner and Attorney at the Sanders Firm, ambitiously took on the challenge of co-producing his first Broadway show ‘Indecent’. The play premiered in October 2015, and last Sunday June 11th at the 2017 Tony Awards, the show proved to be a complete success. ‘Indecent’ won Best Direction of a Play and Best lightning Design of a Play, while being nominated for Best Play as well.

‘Indecent’, written by Paula Vogel, is inspired by the true story of the 1923 Broadway debut of the controversial drama ‘God of Vengeance’, written by Sholem Asch. Marc and the entire production team believed ‘Indecent’ carries certain messages that seemed ripe for Broadway, such as accepting and supporting political refugees and LGBT rights. The New York Times described the show as “superbly realized and remarkably powerful” and critics have hailed it as one of the best of the year.

The entire Sanders Firm family congratulates Marc Grossman for this incredible accomplishment!

]]>June 9th, 2017- A Federal jury in Illinois found AbbVie Inc., an Abbot Laboratories spinoff, guilty of keeping information about their product Depakote from the doctors in charge of prescribing it. Christina Raquel’s doctors prescribed her with Depakote as a treatment for bipolar depression before and during her pregnancy. The powerful drug ultimately caused her son to be born with “spina bifida”. Her son Stevie Gonzalez, now 10 years old, has undergone 12 surgeries since birth and is unable to walk. The jury awarded him and his family $15 million in compensation.

AbbVie had enough information available to them that indicated a risk greater than 10 percent of causing birth defects. However, Depakote’s label warned of a 1 or 2 percent risk instead. Around 10 years ago, Depakote was AbbVie’s first drug to reach a prominent billion dollars in sales. Gonzalez’s attorneys argued AbbVie omitted the high-priority information in order to keep Depakote profitable. Consequently, the jury only found AbbVie guilty, while the doctors did not face charges.

The $15 million award compensates Stevie Gonzalez for his future medical costs, loss of potential wages, and emotional suffering. On top of this verdict, Gonzalez’s family requested further compensation for punitive damages. However, in a separate hearing, the jury determined that the $15 million award would not increase.

LITIGATION

Gonzalez’s lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Illinois, is one of approximately 700 pending Depakote cases so far in U.S. courts against the drugmaker. In 2015, a case in St. Louis resulted in a $38 million verdict, including compensation for punitive damages.

If you or a loved one has been affected by Depakote side effects, you may be eligible for compensation. A successful outcome on your claim could entitle you to damages for medical expenses, future age loss, pain, and suffering. For a free and honest evaluation of your case, reach out to The Sanders Firm.

]]>NY’s Highest Court Agrees NYCTA Cut Off Homeless Man’s Foothttps://thesandersfirm.com/2017/04/nys-highest-court-agrees-nycta-cut-off-homeless-mans-foot-2/
Thu, 06 Apr 2017 21:12:48 +0000http://thesandersfirm.com/?p=8929New York State’s highest court, The Court of Appeals, has upheld a jury’s verdict finding that a NYCTA Train Operator negligently ran over a subway patron. Robert Obey, homeless, suffered a partially severed left foot as a result. In January of 2014, a New York... Read More

]]>New York State’s highest court, The Court of Appeals, has upheld a jury’s verdict finding that a NYCTA Train Operator negligently ran over a subway patron. Robert Obey, homeless, suffered a partially severed left foot as a result.

In January of 2014, a New York County jury returned a verdict of $1,950,000.00 against the New York City Transit Authority. The same jury also held the NYCTA 40% at fault for failing to stop a subway train before striking a homeless man who was between the tracks at the 33rd Street station on March 9, 2006.

The NYCTA claimed that the accident was entirely the homeless man’s own fault. They argued that the homeless man, 51 years old at the time, had just left a Methadone clinic, had taken illegal street drugs that morning which made him drowsy and dizzy, had told a social worker in the hospital that the accident was his own fault because he had taken drugs and was standing too close to the edge of the platform, had taken drugs his entire adult life, had been institutionalized, and that he had attempted suicide multiple times before the accident. One month before the accident this homeless man went down onto the tracks in a different subway station to retrieve a MetroCard and then lied telling a Police Officer that he had fallen onto the tracks.

The homeless man’s attorney, Mark R. Bernstein, Esq, of Mineola, Long Island, urged the jury to find that the train operator’s conduct was inexcusable in seeing the homeless man on the tracks before striking him, running the train over him, making the stop at the station, and then running the train over him again while leaving the station before finally calling in a “body” on the tracks. Mr. Bernstein said, “We are all equal- it doesn’t matter who is on the tracks or why, you have to stop the train.”

The trial judge overturned the jury’s verdict and dismissed the case, ignoring the jury’s findings. An Appeal was taken from that decision to first level Appellate Court. That Appellate Court agreed with the trial judge, disregarded the jury’s finding, and upheld the trial judge’s dismissal of this case.

A further Appeal was taken to New York State’s highest court, The Court of Appeals. New York’s highest Court re-instated the jury’s verdict holding that there was sufficient evidence to hold NYCTA responsible for failing to stop the train before striking the homeless man.

“No one else wanted to help this homeless man in his fight against the Transit Authority,” said Stanley J. Sanders, Esq., the founding partner of this firm. “Sometimes, you have to fight the fight,” he said. “The trial judge should never have disregarded the jury’s verdict, we fought until the end, and we won.” “This case should send a message to the Transit Authority that people’s lives are more important than keeping a train schedule.”

]]>Severe blizzard warnings in the New York areahttps://thesandersfirm.com/2017/03/severe-blizzard-warnings-new-york-area/
Tue, 14 Mar 2017 16:24:03 +0000http://thesandersfirm.com/?p=8897In preparation for the blizzard warning announced by the National Weather Service we wanted to warn everyone in the following affected areas and the hazards they could bring. The areas of New York City, Westchester New York, and Western Long Island will be under blizzard... Read More

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In preparation for the blizzard warning announced by the National Weather Service we wanted to warn everyone in the following affected areas and the hazards they could bring. The areas of New York City, Westchester New York, and Western Long Island will be under blizzard warning from midnight tonight up to Tuesday night.

As of this time, weather conditions are for heavy snow and blizzard. We are expected to receive approximately 12 to 24 inches of snow. The areas which will be most affected by the heavy snow are the north and west regions. Winds are registered to be from 25 to 35 mph, with the highest gusts potentially reaching 55mph. Temperatures are currently in the low 20s.

As the blizzard begins to impact our zones late tonight, potential repercussions include dangerous travel due to whiteout conditions, with several roads becoming impassable, and power outrages becoming a possibility.

Dangerous conditions due to snow storms

With the impending blizzard about to hit the New York area, the chances of slip and fall accidents will increase because of the weather conditions. Ice and snow have become the biggest winter hazards, and these can cause serious injuries.

The chance of these hazards to become dangerous to the residents of the affected areas may increases if businesses and store owners are negligent in their care at keeping them safe for their customers. It is their responsibility for maintaining their area safe from potential injuries.
Some of the main issues that could impact people, especially elders and small children who are more vulnerable to serious injuries, include hip fractures, ACL/MCL tears, back and traumatic brain injuries.

Some of the other possible slip and fall accidents which may occur include:

Improperly salted parking lots and doorway entrances

Parking blocks that are not properly marked

Improper snow removal

Ice and snow in front of a store building

Broken railings or guardrails

Falling or loose debris at construction site

Falling merchandise in store

Inadequate lighting or security leading to crimes

Cracked sidewalks or parking lots

Dangerous potholes or unmarked parking lot hole

Improperly marked wet flooring

Please be safe with your loved ones as the blizzard passes on your area, one of the most important factors to successfully deal with dangerous weather conditions is to keep calm and seek shelter.

Protect your legal rights

Whether the cause was negligence, manufacturing liability or poor road design, accidents often leave victims with long-term financial and emotional hardships. If you or a family member has suffered injuries, your first step should be contacting a NY accident lawyer at The Sanders Firm.

Representing residents in Long Island, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan, our firm has a long track record of obtaining multi-million dollar settlements and court awards on behalf of our clients. For a free and honest evaluation of your case, call toll-free: 1.800 FAIR PLAY (800.324.7752)

]]>Family Awarded $5 Million in Elder Abuse, Wrongful Death Claimhttps://thesandersfirm.com/2017/02/family-awarded-5-million-elder-abuse-wrongful-death-claim/
Fri, 03 Feb 2017 20:06:33 +0000http://thesandersfirm.com/?p=8859A family in Northern California was recently awarded $5 million in an elder abuse and wrongful death case they had filed on behalf of their deceased mother, Marjorie Fitzpatrick. Mrs. Fitzpatrick, 90, had severe dementia and anxiety disorder. She resided in an assisted living facility... Read More

]]>A family in Northern California was recently awarded $5 million in an elder abuse and wrongful death case they had filed on behalf of their deceased mother, Marjorie Fitzpatrick.

Mrs. Fitzpatrick, 90, had severe dementia and anxiety disorder. She resided in an assisted living facility in Mckinleyville, California. Mrs. Fitzpatrick escaped from the facility in September and was alone for 45 minutes before her absence was discovered by the facility’s staff. In that period, she fell and broke both her wrist and bones in her face. Subsequently, doctors found bleeding in her brain.

Mrs. Fitzpatrick was described as being in a “manic” state when she escaped. She was known to need steady attention from a registered nurse and a regimen of anti-anxiety medications. Family lawyers stated that a registered nurse was not on the premises and that the anti-anxiety prescription frequently was not given.

Timber Ridge Assisted Living was accused at the trial of initially stating to the family that she was unattended for a smaller amount of time than the 45 minutes ultimately established.

The facility termed it a “tragic” loss and said they had made changes in light of the case.

Elder abuse is always a tragedy

This case highlights elder abuse. Elder abuse happens to 10% of people over 60 years old who live at home. But these are reported cases; it is estimated that for each case reported, 23 more occur that are never reported.

Elder abuse is defined as mistreatment of an older person. The mistreatment can be abandonment or neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or financial abuse (the taking of the elder person’s money or belongings).

Elder abuse often results in bruises or injuries whose causes are unexplained. The person can also become very stressed or very withdrawn. The perpetrators can be family members or other caregivers.

Wrongful death in New York and New Jersey

Wrongful death is a charge often brought when an individual could have made a claim for negligent conduct or damages had the individual lived.

New York also mandates that one or more individuals be alive caused a loss by the death, and that damages are recoverable from an entity against whom suit can be brought.

In New Jersey, a wrongful death case must be brought by family members.

The wrongful death statute of limitations in both New Jersey and New York is two years from the date the person died.

Attorneys helping victims of elder abuse

If you or a loved one has been injured by elder abuse or neglect, we can help. Any elder abuse case is a tragedy.

The Sanders Law Firm is highly experienced in elder abuse. We will review your case at no charge to you. Our seasoned team of attorneys can answer all your questions and help you plan your best course of action for securing compensation. Call toll-free 1.800.FAIR.PLAY today.